Because Creativity - lulled by the rhythm of a hook with Kim K Gray

Dear Creatives, welcome to the fourth Because Creativity guest post, with

Kim K Gray

.

Kim writes

The Garden of Belonging

here on Substack and describes herself as “walking the messy path to claiming the title “writer” and exploring what it means to belong to ourselves.”

The thread of creativity weaves itself into our lives in unexpected ways, linking us to cherished memories and loved ones from our past. For many of us, these connections come through the quiet, meditative work of our hands.

Kim’s letter delves into the journey of rediscovering a craft that has bridged generations, a journey that began with the gentle rhythm of a grandmother's crochet hook and found new life in the hands of her granddaughter. Read on to explore how the art of crochet became not just a hobby, but a source of peace, a link to family, and a way to give joyfully to others.

As a young child I remember my maternal grandmother crocheting. I remember the rhythm of her hook as she created baby clothes for friends and family. I can still picture the movement of her fingers as they managed the hook, the yarn, and her creation.

At some point in my childhood I tried crochet myself, but it wasn't something I stuck with. Not until adulthood did the fiber arts re-gain my attention. When the knitting book Stitch n' Bitch came out, something caught me and I dove in. I knit a plethora of scarves, a hat for my husband, and blankets for each of my children when they were in utero.

Parenthood took me away from fiber arts until, in 2022, I came upon the pattern for this shawl. I was in love with the colors and the cozy fringe on the hood. I had to have it. It happened to be a crochet pattern, so it became my crash course in crochet.

The shawl pattern led me to a fingerless glove pattern by the same creator and, for a time, I crocheted fingerless gloves for everyone I knew. One pair went all the way from my home near Seattle to a friend in Denmark!

When I crochet, I am lulled by the rhythm of the hook. The part of my brain that likes to worry and catastrophize gets occupied and a sense of calm comes over me. As I move the hook in the steady rhythm of crochet, I feel connected to my grandmother. I only wish she were alive to see my creations.

Crochet accompanied me at the hospital as I sat with my dad during his 6 months of cancer treatment. 8 hours of chemo made easier by keeping my hands busy.

When the list of folks wanting fingerless gloves ran out, I experimented with amigurumi. I was and still am amazed by what can come from just a hook, some yarn, and a pattern. I started with this little whale and moved on to more complex patterns.

I find I like having a crochet project going. It gives me something to do in the between moments when I might otherwise be distracted by technology. Crochet has also taught me a greater appreciation for things hand made. I feel connected to a time when handmade was the way. I'm saddened by the fact that it now costs more to make something than it is to buy something similar at a store.

Because I like to crochet, but I'm not as keen on amassing creations in my house, I'm often looking for ways to gift my creations. This past winter I decided to crochet these snow-gnomes as gifts for family. Aren't they adorable?

My mother in law has said that I could sell my creations, but I don't want my crochet to become a chore. I long to hold on to the peace it brings me and the connection I feel to my grandmother. For now, I create simply for the joy of it. To marvel at the magic that two hands can create.

Isn’t it often the simple, handmade things that bring us the greatest comfort and joy? Through the rhythmic motion of the crochet hook, what began as a childhood memory has grown into a lifelong practice of mindfulness and connection. It’s a reminder that creativity doesn't always need a grand purpose—it can be enough to create simply for the love of the craft, for the sense of peace it brings, and for the way it connects us to those we hold dear.

Kim, thank you so much for sharing your crocheted creations and heartfelt reflections. Your story of rediscovering crochet and the deep connections it has fostered with your past and present were a pleasure to share. It’s a wonderful reminder of the joy and peace that can be found in the simple act of creating.

You can read more of Kim’s writing on The Garden of Belonging here:

Since sharing the first Because Creativity guest post from

Klamo

which was also about crochet, I have been buying yarn and rediscovering crochet myself. I have a grand plan to crochet a granny blanket for the bed and I have crocheted two rainbow jellyfish and half a sparkly jellyfish….

Where are your creative adventures taking you at the moment?

Come and join the While I Was Drawing community to share stories and pictures of your own creative explorations in the chat.

I would love you to join me on my adventure, exploring and celebrating creativity of all kinds.

If you have a creative pastime that you do for joy alone that you would like to share as guest post on While I Was Drawing, let me know here.

Bye for now,